Exclusive: Celebrating National Dog Day 2024 with Vriddhi Patwa's Favourite 'Troy'

On this National Dog Day, whothat360 has exclusively connected with snap star and content creator Vriddhi Patwa to learn more about her favorite dog. As she discusses her 'Troy', she also has a special request to have kindness for animals.

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Can you introduce us to your pet and share some fun facts about their personality?

Troy, my 5-year-old Chow Chow, is truly the perfect best friend anyone could ask for. Most people don't realize that Chow Chows are natural guard dogs, but when I'm out walking with Troy, his presence alone is enough to keep any potential trouble at bay. I never have to worry about anyone messing with me when he's around. That said, Troy is what I'd call a ‘lazy' guard dog—he has the instincts, but he's more about lounging around.

Beyond this, Troy is incredibly involved in both my life and my sister's. We have full-blown conversations with him, and he responds in his own unique way with his ears moving left right or with different barks for when he's hungry, upset, or just craving some attention. He's also a genius when it comes to his toys—after playing, he'll neatly place them back on his bed. He ensures that his toys have good enough space on his bed. Honestly, I think he might be the smartest baby ever!

Photo Credit: Vriddhi Patwa's Team

How did your pet become a part of your digital presence, and what inspired your pet-related content?

Troy is my friend, my baby, and my little brother all rolled into one—he means everything to me, my sister and my parents. Just like how my other friends regularly appear on my Snap, Troy has naturally become a star on my Stories too. I find it so fascinating to share his adventures, whether he's at home, out for a walk, or even when we're traveling. I'm like a proud mama, always eager to show off my ‘baby'. From his puppy days to now, at 5 years old, Troy has been a central part of my life, and I love sharing every moment of our journey together.

What sparked your passion for pet content, and how does it resonate with your audience?

Honestly, I don't see myself as someone who creates specific 'pet-related' content. Troy is my life, and he's just naturally part of it. So when I'm heading out to meet friends, and Troy happens to be with me, I might casually post Stories of him on Snapchat. It's never something I plan; it just happens. But whenever I do share his Stories, I get flooded with questions about him—everything from grooming tips to training advice and even his eating habits.

People seem genuinely interested, whether it's just for their information or because they have pets of their own or know someone who does. My Snapchat community has really taken to Troy—they're invested in his life, always wanting updates on his health, lifestyle, and more. Through these moments, I give my followers a glimpse of my real life, unfiltered and fully authentic, just as it is.

How do you use Snapchat's dog lens to create engaging content, and what's the response been like?

The Dog Lens on Snapchat has its own vibe! It was such a trendsetter when it came out—everyone was using it. I can't think of a single person who hasn't tried that lens; it's just too cute to resist. Even now, I still love using it when I'm recording videos with myself or with friends. My girls and I have a Snapchat group, and we're all super active on it. We chat through Snaps, and the Dog Lens is one of our go-to's. There's something about those long ears and the cute tongue that pops up on your face—it never gets old. It's an instant hit in our group, and honestly, I think it's the perfect way to add a bit of fun to our conversations.

Photo Credit: Vriddhi Patwa's Team

How do you connect with the pet-loving community, and what do you hope they take away from your content?

My connection with the pet-loving community is all because of the love I have for Troy, and trust me, he gives it back tenfold! He's not just my dog—he's like a baby brother. My sister and I even tied him a rakhi because why not? I believe in sharing the real, unfiltered moments of our life, whether it's his goofy antics, our walks, or just him being his lazy, adorable self.

On this National Dog Day, I've got one request for my community: love and respect all animals, not just dogs. Every pet, every animal out there deserves a little extra love and care!